Ironically the most damaging efforts at taking in refugees had nothing to do with terrorism, spying or sabotage. Despite the zeal in taking in refugees from Castro’s Cuba in The Mariel Boatlift, many of whom were violent criminals. With the burgeoning cocaine trade forming in Miami, it became a perfect storm of mayhem. It would take a generation later before it was considered in a favorable light.

In hindsight, refugee waves are always looked upon more fondly long after the fact. It is generally the correct move to take people in, in the long run, despite grumblings and complaints at the time. Usually once descendants of the refugees are established. The strength of the United States is our ability to enable refugees establish themselves. Something Europe has a lot of trouble with.